Virtual Retreat July 2015 - Join Anytime

[wendy w.]

Rita I've no idea what they are :lol: but they're breeding. I love your appliqué, shame the hands are playing up cos you got a fabulous result.

Dorothy glad you're joining in, the more the merrier especially if you've quilts or chocolate to share.

Keep clicking Lotti, they're a treat to see and I'm sure even without the lens you'd get great pictures. It's the moment in time you capture as well as the quality that's so good. I suppose that's dependent on finger clicking speed. My chickens always look the other way as I click

[Lotti D.]

Rita, that wedding quilt is going to be an absolute stunner - and patience is a fab name for your pfaff - i'm sure she'll appreciate it. hope your hands recover quickly - don't forget those hand exercises we learnt from that drummer a few years ago - would probably help!
i've been looking for the link, and found this one instead: especially for arthritis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuqoG0PALHs
and here is that carpal tunnel/tendenitis one : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta6Q3W6_u0g

Geneva, good name, that will give you two a whole new relationship

Dorothy, looking forward to seeing those quilts of yours

Wendy, the key ingredient to good pictures, is NOT the camera, NOT the lens, NOT the subject, but PATIENCE - lots and lots of PATIENCE to build up the subject's confidence and trust so that you can get close, then PATIENCE & perseverance to wait until they look in the right direction with the right light and ....
Oh, and another thought, Wendy, if you call those fishies "pincushions" they have a "raison d'être" - a true reason for existence - not just to look pretty and collect dust - but a real purpose for being and multiplying :P :P :P

[Lotti D.]

Rita, your quilt is going to be outstanding.

Margarita

[Lotti D.]

Geneva, so sorry to hear about your Bernina, hope they can get her up and running well real soon. It is nice to have a back up that is dependable. Have some of my dark chocolate bars. Enjoy.

Hoping all is well otherwise.

Margarita

[Lois B.]

Lotti, Those stretches must have been necessary. As soon as I did them I had muscles cramping and spasming in response. I think that means I need to do those stretches on a regular basis.

Wendy, If they are multiplying then we need more pictures. If they are pincushions they may start multiplying here. Where did you find the pattern?

Dorothy, Welcome. We like it when lurker become participants. Can't wait to see your quilt. It would be nice to see your face too. Good luck with the new computer.

[Lois B.]

I spent the morning making over 400" of binding. I even started applying it to one of the two quilts. My hope is to have both of these quilts done and the one for Coy's graduation finished also. Of course I have lots of catching up to do here on the forum so I need to get to it.

[Lois B.]

Lotti,
If you could send the owl picture to my personal email I would be very grateful. I want to show my Granddaughter, Hannah. She is crushing on owls, has been for a couple of years now. She turns 8 this summer and to see a picture of an owl and her Grams can tell her about the person who took the picture, so much the better.
Luann

There is a wonderful book series about owls for kids, "Guardians of Ga'Hoole " by Kathryn Lasky. My son read them all (16) and I enjoyed reading some of them, too. Amazon shows the age level about 9-12, so she may be ready to dive in.

Kathy

[Lotti D.]

oh, wow, ritzy - what a day ! but isn't it nice to have the binding all ready to use when you get a quilt done.
i've started doing that as well when i have a fabric that i find is very practical for bindings... looking forward to seeing those finished quilts

what a great book idea, Kathy, i'll also have to look into those - if they're suitable for 9-12 - they should be just about right for me

yup, Lois, i think those stretches would do a lot of us a lot of good...
i'm still working on my knee and building up strength in my legs after being very inactive for such a long time.
but i'm getting back into hiking - though more on the easier side - mainly with the camera and lots of photostops - i actually do most of my walks inside nature parks and wildlife sanctuaries at the moment - but hey - better 8-9 hours of walkabout in a wildlife sanctuary than a 2 hour hike up a mountain... though those are on the program too :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Lotti D.]

Fun fishes, beautiful wild life photographs, pretty applique, and a new lurker come out of the closet. What a wonderful thread this has been to read this evening.

No advance on Maxiatura yet, but I did make a spotty dotty dress for Izzy on Sat. then had a play with a one piece asymmetrical t-shirt pattern (made it a touch longer and added a cowl neckline), which I cut and made up for myself on Sun. morning. In the afternoon, hauled out lots of embroidery pieces & some quilts to put on display at St Cuthberts Church with my EG branch for a local open gardens weekend.

[Catherine S.]

Wow, everyone is so busy and having so much fun. I love your fish Wendy. Do you add a little something to make them smell better that the real things? They could be sachets then.
Love your pictures Lotti. My little Nikon is being difficult, so I have been using my old Minolta. I also have a much older Minolta with the large lens. My DH says he is going back to using it when he retires. I guess you can still buy film somewhere. :huh: That reminds me I need a new memory card before we go on vacation in a couple of weeks. Most of my pictures are of the grandkids, or quilts.
My latest project is a portrait quilt. I have all the pieces pressed down. I now need to layer it and quilt it. It is small, the size of copy paper, so the pieces are little. It is a gift for a cousin. I will post pictures when I get it finished.
As I mentioned a month ago I am rearranging my sewing room. I have the big things moved where I want them, but now I need to put the smaller stuff away. That part isn't fun, too much like work.
I have some Ghirardelli squares here if anyone would like some. Milk chocolate with caramel filling!

[Susan S.]

I have enjoyed reading the posts. What a joy to have a place to share news!

I am knee deep in purple hull peas for sale and shortly will have nearly five acres of peas! Really cutting into my quilting time! My husband's retirement fun - what can a girl do?

Have any of you read "The Farmer's Wife 1930 Sampler book" inspiring stories from the depression era women and a cd with 99 patterns. These are not easy, make it quick patterns. I found the book on Amazon for $15.18. I am looking forward to receiving my copy.

[Susan S.]

Just wanted to let you all know that the knee brace is no more. All is well with the hip and the Dr was very pleased at the movement in my leg. So now I just have to get my strength and stamina back to be able to do what I want (wish) I could do.
Thank you every one for the prayers and good thoughts. I did layer and pin basted the baby quilt this morning. Not quite ready to start machine quilting. Maybe next week. Still working on my appliqué wall hanging, while sitting and taking it easy. It is nice to hear about the different projects you all are workin on.

Margaria

[Lotti D.]

So glad you are mobile again, Margarita! I can feel for you - all that muscle buildup and moveability therapy... Slow and steady is the key, no use overdoing it and then not being able to do anything for days... I know - been there - done that
Thinking of you and sending you patience, perseverance and strength!

Purple hull peas, artmomma, sound very interesting. Will have to look those up, love anything purple, and love peas, now to combine the two your sampler book also sounds interesting - of course totally wasted on me as i can barely stick to the pattern for a simple rail fence - and a log cabin to me, is an invitation for a crazy quilt... NOT good in following directions - for some reason i always have to proove (to whom i don't know), that there is another way or at the least a half dozen other options, and when i don't like the result? I just cut it up and make something else out of it...

I'll leave those Ghirardelli Squares for someone who really appreciates them, Lorra, love the ghirardelli chocolates, but really not into the caramel stuff. So good to be able to say NO to something... And not feel the least bit sorry! Enjoy them!
:P :P :P

[Geneva C.]

Margarita. I'm so glad you are up and about.

Lotti, I will take your share of the caramel candy. :P

Constance and I are getting along swimmingly. I've contacted a friend, a special friend, for assistance with Sybil. I'll let you know how it goes.

I finished quilting the niece's quilt. Now onto the binding.

I finished a very "light" something. I think Rosemary is busy with that intrusive day job. Would one of you please send me her snail mail address?

Geneva

[Lotti D.]

I finished a very "light" something. I think Rosemary is busy with that intrusive day job. Would one of you please send me her snail mail address?
Geneva

Sent to you by PM
lotti